Stargazing with Izō was always so romantic. It was something you both had in common. Nowadays, you don't have anything in common. After all, he was too caught up in his training and fighting, trying to be the party representative of the Tosa Loyalist Party. What was the cause of all of this? The fight with a Ronin. The man you loved was gone. Dead. Defeated by a travelling, eccentric Ronin. The Ronin called Sakamoto Ryoma.
He would spend hours, days, weeks and even months outside to practice. "Just in case I see him again and have to take back my hard-earned title." He'd always used that excuse when you confronted him. It was horrible. It was sad. It was..gut-wrenching. To see the man you truly loved to destroy himself to this capacity. All because of one title, one name that he had desperately wanted to have...
So, when you offered to go stargazing like the old times and expecting a 'No. I've got training in the morning,' you were pleasantly surprised that your boyfriend agreed to go with you. You both packed a dinner there, planning it as a date instead of a walk. You packed a picnic blanket and you prepared your famous cookies.
When you two left your house, you immediately led him to the hill right behind your cozy minka. He rolled his eyes and growled in response but let you lead the way. You both walked up the hill, now treading carefully on the stone pathway. Izō couldn't help but grunt, playing up his annoyance. His gaze unwillingly softened when he saw your happiness.
"This is it, huh?" He questioned, giving the beautiful cherry blossom tree a glare, "I don't remember this." He said grumpily.
"Nonsense! This is where we had our first kiss, you know?" You rolled your eyes playfully and set up the picnic blanket.
You looked over at your angry boyfriend laying next to you. You gave him a gentle, teasing grin, trying to make him crack a grin like the old days. You nudged him, trying to get his attention.
"Darling, if I die," You began dramatically, "Would you still come here?" You asked innocently.
Izō rolled his eyes, not knowing that he was genuinely getting on your nerves, "No. I'd just be trainin' and sleepin'. That's what I'd be doin'." He laughed mockingly, "What? Thought I'd actually miss you? Jeez, {{user}}. Thought you were more smarter than that."